Most product managers don't get dogfooding right.
Let me explain.
There are 2 types of people who wear glasses. Those who:
1. Wear prescription glasses (like me).
2. Wear them as a fashion statement.
A few years ago, I was at the mosque with a friend. We both were type 1 with terrible eyesight.
My friend happened to place his glasses on the floor while praying.
After the prayers ended, a chap who seemed to be in a hurry, rushed in front us &...
CRUNCH.
Bye bye glasses.
Now, being type 1, I felt his pain.
I feel handicapped without my glasses.
The blurred vision, difficulty in finding things, inability to view screens. It's quite limiting.
However, what if I was type 2?
Sure, I'd probably feel sorry but wouldn't be able to relate as deeply.
Why?
Because I would have never experienced my quality of life taking a nosedive without glasses.
I'd be annoyed but it wouldn't prevent me from doing things I care about.
That's the difference between effective dogfooding & playing around.
But wait.
What if I can't test my product that way?
Well, the least the type 2 guy can do to relate is to ask several questions about how it feels like.
Better yet, simulate that life. Use an out-of-focus camera & view the world with those lens.
As a Product Manager, you might be asked a lot of questions during an interview. One of them includes technical questions. Here are 4 types of technical questions that you might come across.